Research into finding a cure for a disease that is wiping out Scotland’s red squirrels has stalled.

Work at the Moredun Institute has halted after three years because funding ran out.

The charity had been looking for a cure for the squirrel pox virus.

Moredun had been receiving funds from another animal charity, the Wildlife Ark Trust.

But financial difficulties meant it could no longer fund the research.

Squirrel pox is harmless to greys, which can carry the virus and pass it on to their red cousins.

Dumfriesshire MSP Elaine Murray has urged the Scottish Government to consider ways to help jump-start research. She asked Environment Minister Paul Wheelhouse to consider the move at Ministers’ Questions.

He said further research would cost around £160,000 and take between five and 10 years to complete.

The minister also said that wild red squirrels would also need to be captured to test any vaccine that was created.

Dr Murray said: “While I support the measures the Scottish Government are taking to combat the spread of squirrel pox, I believe vaccination could form part of the strategy to protect our native red squirrel and am hoping to meet the minister along with colleagues to discuss this further.”